Pogacar just snatches Milan - San Remo from super Pidcock

 

It was the most exhilarating finale fans could have wished for as Tadej Pogacar recovered from a crash to produce another scintillating performance to win his first Milan – San Remo, the opening spring classic of the season on Saturday.

But My Oh My!  This was edge of the seat stuff to the very end!

For the crash which took down the favourites with 32km to go put the “Battle of the Giants” on hold in Saturday’s gripping 298km Milan San Remo, as Pogacar’s big rival, Mathieu Van Der Poel,  was injured in the melee.  

But nothing could stop Tadje Pogacar from picking himself up to regain the field and score a scorcher of a victory – his first in this classic, after twice taking second. He did so holding off Britain’s Tom Pidcock by half a wheel after nearly seven hours racing. A few days before,   Pidcock had won the Milano-Torino classic and was flying.

As for Pog’s big rival, the two times winner Van Der Poel – winner in 2025 and 2024 when Pogacar was third  -  he injured  his hand in that fall and couldn’t respond to his rival’s attacks on the final  climb, the Poggio in last few kilometres.

 The other big name in that crash was 2020 winner Wout Van Aert who had an extra delay waiting for a replacement bike and yet still recovered to take a magnificent third place while Van Der Poel (VDP) was placed 8^th.

Wow. So Pogacar!!!!

Twice third here behind VDP, he finally triumphed, his trademark warp factor acceleration leaving all but one of his rivals for dead  – the first time not to  attack from the front, as usual - but to re-join the main field  now 52 seconds ahead of him after his crash with 32km to go.

Having regained the field, he threaded through them with ease,  to attack again, to soar ahead - as planned - half-way up the 5km Cipressa climb. In doing so he pulverised all but the multi-talented Pidcock and Van Der Poel who, though able to respond to this as the road emptied in their wake, was too hurt to hold on up the final ascent, the Poggio. 

So instead of VDP, Pogacar had Pidcock to deal with and the Briton came so close to landing the biggest classic victory of his career.  This was surely the most unpredictable finish we could have hoped for, in doubt to the very last?

Pogacar, his world champion’s rainbow jersey torn and his leg grazed, wasn’t sure if Pidcock had pipped him, so close were they. After crossing the line he needed to look across at PIdcock to satisfy himself job done before punching the air in triumph.

So, the first part of his major aim for 2026 is accomplished, to win the two remaining Monuments which have eluded him. With Milan – San Remo in the bag, next up is Paris – Roubaix in April where he was second- with a flat tyre - on his debut last year to Van Der Poel.

Will this be Battle of the Giants resumed?

Pogacar has won Tour of Flanders twice; Liege-Bastogne-Liege three times, and Tour of Lombardia five! Counting his recent Milan – San Remo victory, that makes 11 Monument wins so far.

Eddy Merckx holds the record of most Monument wins in his career, 19.